A top official in Britain's Labour Party has apologised for saying more than a decade ago that Irish Republican Army bombings and shootings helped bring about peace in Northern Ireland.
John McDonnell's statement of regret is the latest clarification by the party's new left-wing leaders as they try to counter opponents' claims that their views are extreme. McDonnell was appointed Labour's economy spokesman this week by new party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
McDonnell said on BBC television late yesterday that he was sorry for saying in 2003 that IRA "bombs and bullets" had brought the British government to the negotiating table and led to Northern Ireland's 1998 peace deal.
McDonnell said his words had been wrong, and apologised "from the bottom of my heart" for giving offense. But he added that he had made the speech to "hold onto the peace process" and persuade militants not to take up arms again.
Labour's new leadership marks a sharp left turn for Britain's main opposition party, which had moved to the political centre under former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Corbyn, a 66-year-old lawmaker, was elected leader last week as Labour supporters, frustrated after two election defeats, sought a way to set the party apart from the Conservatives. Corbyn favors higher taxes for the rich, an end to public spending cuts and the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Opponents and many Labour moderates think Corbyn and his allies are too radical to get elected.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted this week that under Corbyn, Labour was "a threat to our national security, our economic security and your family's security."
In the six days since his election, Corbyn has clarified or moderated several of his positions. He has promised Labour will campaign for Britain to stay in the European Union in an upcoming referendum a commitment he had previously avoided.
In the past, Corbyn has said Britain should leave the NATO military alliance, but McDonnell said Labour would not advocate for withdrawal.
